Eric Parker

About Eric Parker

Eric Parker, Author of Tools Freak, is a craft handyman with the passion for DIY projects and who is obsessed with home improvement tools and equipment. He shares his DIY experiences and the best tools for the job.

Precise measurement is the most important part of any
woodworking project. A little mistake in any measurement will make you spend
extra time to correct that mistake; otherwise,
you will not be able to accomplish that project.

For proper measurement,
you must have defect-free measuring tools
with good knowledge about the usage of
these tools.

There are so many woodworking tools available in the market for
measurement but buying all of those measuring tools will not be a wise
decision. Rather it is better to find out some such measuring tools that are
frequently needed and you can use these tools for multiple measuring purposes.

For your help, we have done thorough
research about the measuring tools used by woodworker and figure out the 5 top
most frequently used tools.

What is a Measuring Tool?

Before going to them
through a discussion about measuring tool
let me give you a short brief about measuring tool.

In woodworking, you
have to do make frequent measuring such as measuring the distance between two
points, measuring the angular distance, checking the flatness of a surface
etc. To accomplish these tasks you need
to take help of some special tools that are called measuring tools.

Types of Measuring Tools

There are so many types of measuring tools used in the woodshop. Generally, these measuring tools can be divided into 3 categories:

1. Linear Distance Measurement Tools

Depending on the distance there are many tools available for
measuring length. Some tools are convenient to measure small to large lengths
and some are to measure little and crucial lengths.

For example, you can use a tape measure, steel ruler, folding ruler, laser measure etc. for measuring small to large length. But, to measure little and crucial lengths you have to use a Vernier Calipers.

Making finely flat surface is a common requirement of many
wooden projects. It is not possible to check the accuracy of flatness with an open eye. So you have to take help of flatness
checking measuring tools like level.

Top 5 Measuring Tools for a Wood Shop

1.Tape Measure

The tape measure is the basic measuring tool. Although there are different types of rulers that can be used for woodworking we have prioritized tape measure as it gives you the advantage of measuring the length of small to big range. You can measure generally 10ft-25 ft. length using a tape measure.

2. Vernier Calipers

Vernier Calipers is another measuring tool that every
woodworker must keep in the collection of tools because you can small to large
distance using any kind of measuring tool but to measure little distance you
need the help of Vernier calipers.

For example, you cannot measure the gauge of drill bits, router bits, screws sizes and blade widths using a tape measure, steel ruler or folding ruler. In these cases, you must need the help of Vernier Calipers.

3. Framing Square

Many woodworking projects require making a right angle and a framing square is the best
measuring tool to check the right angle.

You can also check square edges using a framing square. To check the accuracy of wood pieces during nailing, screwing or stapling no woodworking tool is as best as framing square.

4. Marking Equipment

To cut the object according to the measurement you have to
mark the measuring line on the object, otherwise,
your measurement will be fruitless.

For marking on the object you can use a mechanical pencil or marking knife. Though a traditional pencil can also be used for this purpose it requires continuous sharpening, on the other hand, you do not have to go through the trouble of sharpening a mechanical pencil.

5. Protractor

Cutting objects at a specific angle is a common requirement
of many woodworking projects. The protractor
is used to measure the angle.

Though you can use a compass for making angle protractor is
advancer than a traditional compass and
it helps to make the angle more easily.
So, as a modern woodworker, it is wise to
choose a protractor rather than a traditional compass.

Conclusion

No woodworking shop can be completed without the above mentioned most important woodworking tools. So, if you have a woodshop you must have these measuring tools. When you buy any measuring tool you buy it to use for a long time. But tools may get damaged by continuous using if you do not maintain these tools properly. So you must have to learn the rules of taking care of measuring tools besides keeping them in your collection.